Obama gleans most from Maine donors

PORTLAND – Sen. Barack Obama has raised more money in Maine for his presidential bid than any other candidate, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Obama, who is vying for the Democratic nomination, raised $466,345 from individual contributors in Maine from January 2007 through January 2008, according to the latest FEC filings.

Obama’s Democratic opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, raised $108,999 from Mainers during the same period.

Among Republican candidates, Sen. John McCain of Arizona raised $112,680 from Mainers during the same time frame, while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has dropped out of the race, raised a little more than $98,000. McCain has a virtual lock on the nomination.

McCain’s two remaining Republican opponents, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, raised $52,213 and $4,435 in Maine, respectively.

Much of Obama’s fundraising success in Maine stems from his campaign stop and fundraiser in Portland followed by a private fundraiser in Cape Elizabeth in September.

“We had a very well-organized group of 10 people, four nights a week, making phone calls for three hours,” said Robert C.S. Monks, Obama’s campaign manager in Maine. “I’ve raised a lot of money for a lot of candidates, and raising money for Obama was easy.”

In all, Maine individuals gave $719,295 to Democratic presidential candidates and $322,115 to Republicans during the period.

Obama has succeeded nationally and in Maine in raising money from small donors, said Michael Malbin, executive director of Campaign Finance institute, a nonpartisan think tank affiliated with George Washington University.